Reviews (1)

INCANTATION
The burning of Jewish books in the town square is the first portent that life for sixteen-year-old Estrella is going to change.Set in Spain during the Middle Ages, the story is about secrets and self-knowledge.Estrella's family are Conversos, who practice Judaism in secret at home and in a church where all of the congregation plus the priest are like themselves.As the persecution of Jews draws ever closer to Estrella's own family, she is told about their secret, given a ring to buy herself safe passage to Amsterdam if need be, and taught the rudiments of kabbalah by her learned grandfather.This unlikely act is undoubtedly a gesture toward the current popularity of kabbalah and it does little to mar the credibility of the plot, consisting only of a few "kabbalistic" customs like wearing a red thread and learning the names of the ten gates of Paradise.More central to the story is Estrella/Esther's development from a carefree girl to a young woman fated to pass on her family's heritage virtually alone. As in other of Hoffman's books, nature and magic are intertwined.Estrella's mother is a dyer and a healer; her grandfather is a surgeon and a scholar.The witchcraft of which they are accused is practical magic, the kind that works not through the supernatural but through knowledge heightened by insight.Throughout the book, Estrella's mother teaches her about the natural world and how humans use it for good or evil. At the conclusion, after some horrific scenes of torture and burnings, she flees, having learned that "a Jew can never be attached to a place...We cannot have roots in the earth of any country, only in the garden that we carry inside us."This is a somber message for the teens of today and it is offset by other conflicts that they may find more appealing: the true nature of a false friend, and rivalry over a boy friend.Admirers of Alice Hoffman will enjoy her evocative writing style but Incantation is one of her lesser works.For teens and adults.Reviewed by Linda R. Silver ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Fiction    4. Girls & Women    5. Historical - Europe    6. Historical Fiction (Young Adult)    7. Identity    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Legends, Myths, & Fables - General    10. Marranos    11. Prejudices    12. Religious - General    13. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    14. Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women   

Reviews (2)

Oh, Yikes! Oh, Yes!!!!!
This is a book kids have been waiting for. As a school librarian, I can testify that copies of Oh, Yuck! are never on the shelf. Now there is a waiting list for Oh, Yikes! as well. Masoff writes in the most entertaining manner. She fully understands the mind of a child. Kids are so wildly amused by the subjects and the illustrations that they don't notice she's managed to include more facts than most text books. This is a wonderful book!!!!

Awesome!!
We thought nothing could top "Oh Yuck!", but my son cannot keep his nose out of this book!! It is fascinating, educational and most of all...fun and hilarious. What better way to learn?? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Encyclopedias, Juvenile    5. History    6. Juvenile General And Reference Works    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Reference - Encyclopedias    9. Encyclopaedias & reference works    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Reference / Encyclopedias   

Reviews (122)

this book is cause it's about a chinese, wait I meant korean person
This book was very good the boy in the book has to face many hard challenges and encounters many problems. Also his life changes after certain events happen. While reading it I had not know what would happen next. I think that you'll the book was great whether something was good or if it was bad. Even though many times things were going downhil they the boy would always find a sloutions. So that was my opinion of the book.

this book is cause it's about a chinese, wait I meant korean person
This book was very good the boy in the book has to face many hard challenges and encounters many problems. Also his life changes after certain events happen. While reading it I had not know what would happen next. I think that you'll the book was great whether something was good or if it was bad. Even though many times things were going downhil they the boy would always find a sloutions. So that was my opinion of the book.

A story that appeals to both genders
My daughter had to read Bud, Not Buddy for school and dismissed it as a "boy book."This one, however, she liked, even with a male protagonist.I understand another reader's concern that it started out slowly.Asian culture is one of subtlety, and the gentle beginning was a necessary set-up for the various relationships that develop.Much of these relationships are layers of things left unsaid, such as the daily filling of the food bowl and the fishing for flounder.Tree Ear's humility and discipline were admirable (I had to remind myself he was only 12).My daughter (grade 5) liked his bravery and determination.Every story he hears, every dream he has, every snippet of conversation is relevant to the story.It's a tight package of wonderful writing.Linguistically, it stands above much of the other children's literature that I've been reading over the years. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Classics    4. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    5. Fiction    6. Historical - Asia    7. History    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Korea    10. Koryæo period, 935-1392    11. Pottery    12. Social Issues - General    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Asia   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. History    4. History - General    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Study and teaching (Secondary)    7. Textbooks    8. United States    9. American history    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / General    11. Social history    12. USA   

Reviews (19)

Entertaining and Educational
Flavia is a Roman girl with a nose for danger. With her gang of friends, she sets off on an investigation to find the real answers for the sudden and very questionable deaths of the dogs in her neighborhood. This is first and foremost a historical fiction novel. However, it is also very much a mystery caper and spine-tingling and bone-chilling adventure all rolled into one. The Thieves of Ostia is an academically-enriching experience. Perhaps the best part of Lawrence's book is that the educational aspect of this story is wrapped under a guise of entertainment, thereby making it easier for children to not only learn about Roman life in the year A.D. 79, but also to WANT to learn more about it. In fact, even adults will find Lawrence's book fun and amusing to read. Lawrence succeeds in providing a balance of a good story with a good dosage of factual information.
Metophorical, Riveting,..
The Thieves of Ostia proves to be a very action-packed tale. Four children from completely opposite worlds come together as one -- A slave girl, a beggar boy, a Jewish boy, and a Roman girl, set out to solve a mystery, but end up unlocking the "priceless treasure" or humanity.
Must we tone it so far down for children?
Another reviewer notes that their is a pro-Christian bias in this book and that is certainly true.That is not my complaint though I agree that the way this story represents Christians and their treatment in the Roman world at this time period is a bit romanticized.Instead I'm very concerned that some of the cultural details are toned down for "the sake of the children".It is unlikely a young Roman girl would have so much freedom to roam about town though she is not noble so she would certainly have greater freedom than those of the highest order.I also think it highly unlikely that people of such different order and class backgrounds would interact in these fashions.But my greatest problem with this book is how it treats slavery.Yes, it hints at some of the horrors but once the little slave girl is purchased she is treated almost like an equal by both little mistress and the father of the house.Romans were very status conscious and as close as one might become to a slave over the year, I doubt such a close and egalitarian bound would develop so quickly.It is all fine and good to write historical novels for children but do we do them any favors when we mask the truth of times past? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Dogs    4. Fiction    5. Historical - Ancient Civilizations    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Juvenile Historical Fiction    8. Juvenile Mysteries    9. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    10. Mystery and detective stories    11. Stealing    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 People & Places    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Concepts - Alphabet    5. History    6. History - United States/General    7. History - United States/State & Local    8. History, Local    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. People & Places - United States    12. U.S. states    13. United States    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / People & Places / United States   

Reviews (243)

Read This Book!!!!
The Devil's Arithmetic was one of the best books I have ever read.It is very descriptive, and I learned so much about that time.It was very sad and I even cryed at the end , It also was very suspensefull.I really recomend this book to anyone who enjoys touching stories and suspensefull twists.

A powerful story, utterly gripping
This book won the National Jewish Book Award, among others. The Devil's Arithmetic is the story of young Hannah, a modern-day Jewish girl from New Rochelle, who opens a door, and finds herself living during the Holocaust.
First impression:
Sounds like a scientific social studies mixed together to create one science fiction holocost thing- am i right??
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Concentration camps    4. Fiction    5. Jews    6. People & Places - United States - Other    7. Space and time    8. Time travel    9. Horror & ghost stories, chillers    10. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (36)

Mostly fluff or twaddle, little facts that actually were historically important
We just completed the first three books in this ten-book series and are even more frustrated. I can only wonder if any of the reviewers who recommended these books actually read them for content. While reviewers have described her writing as 'telling a story', it is actually rambling on and on over minutia that is unimportant while leaving the truly important parts of history barely written of. Homeschoolers pay for vast collections of educational books and, as a group, we have high standards for what is worth paying $200 for. This series isn't even worth $20.
Wonderful books!
I teach 6th and 7th graders US History and they (and I) LOVE these books.I can't tell you how many times students read through them ahead of the class and then ask for the next one, too.Students who don't do well in other classes read these books.One of the things I like very much about them is that they teach children to think for themselves.They are not for people who want children to follow any certain political agenda - they are too open.They are so interesting that they give children the desire to find out more about what they have read.Joy Hakim does believe certain things but she always makes it clear that it's what she thinks based on her vast knowledge of history (I have noticed that some people who don't like this book think they know history but should really read more - their comments are not accurate).There are a lot of textbooks out there with a covert agenda - Joy Hakim simply says when it is her viewpoint.For example, I like John Adams a lot but she seems to prefer Thomas Jefferson - That's okay because I'm a teacher and I tell the students what I think, too.I put things in context - that's my job.I teach them to understand that research could yet again change our understanding of what happened - that nothing is finite.This frees them to find out more and finding out more encourages them to think for themselves.Something we badly need in a democracy.My students love these books - and I do, too.Any other textbook I have researched for my classes is dry and boring.They even put terms in bold - that drives me nuts.Kids just copy the definitions with no understanding.In Joy Hakim's books, very often the students have to figure out the meaning from the context.At first, they can't do this - they hate it because they are afraid they can't figure it out.Within 5 or 6 months, my 6th graders become very good at thinking this out for themselves.It's good for their self-esteem and this ability will stay with them all of their lives.It's more work for me as a teacher, but guess what!I teach them for life - not just to be ready for groupthink tests.

Amazing textbook
I had this book in a U. S. history class I took (back in the days before I was old :)) and was very impressed. Although I don't always agree with the author's perspective on history, and her presentation is sometimes simplistic or one-sided, you have to cut her some slack; it is intended for young readers (which I was when I used this textbook). Young readers tend not to have the background knowledge or interest for highly detailed historical analysis.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. History - United States/General    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. History, American    7. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / General   

Reviews (80)

Great Book
I thought this book was great - it had adventure. The overall feel reminded me of the book "Now I Know the Story of Samson". I recommend it to anyone.

An Inspirational Holy Land Adventure
This is a wonderful portrayal of the Holy Land at the time of Jesus's ministrations. Ms. Speare is a master at plot and characterization. The Bronze Bow is both exciting and inspirational. It stands on a par with The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I will continue to read this story from time to time for the rest of my life and will pass it on to my grandchildren

One of the most excellent books I have ever read!
This book is great. My class read it this year as one of our sixth grade novels. The Bronze Bow is about a boy named Dainel. Dainel's parents died when he was very young. His father was crucified, and his mother, who sat weeping at his father's crucifixtion, died a few weeks later. Daniel then had to live with his grandmother and his younger sister, Leah. Daniel leaves his home when he is thirteen years old. One day, five years later, Daniel saw two kids about his age. One of which he recognized. For moment, he was bewildered with who the boy really was until he remembered-he had gone to school with him. When Daniel goes up to Joel, he finds out the other person was his twin sister, Malthace. He asked how his grandmother and sister were doing. Joel and Malthace informed him that his grandmother and Leah were fine, and that his grandmother was sometimes seen out of the house. But Leah never came out. When Daniel goes back to the village, he remembers that Leah had been possessed by demons. They had a large variety of doctors see her, but no one could cure it. Daniel goes back to the village, and shortly after he recieved a message saying that his grandmother was dying. He went home to find his grandmother on her bed. Leah had nailed all of the doors shut and had never been out for about a week. Daniel visited his grandmother, when her last words spoken to him were, "Dainel, you came." Leah would rarely come out of her corner where she was balled up to see anything. Once Daniel and Leah's grandmother died, they moved into one of Daniels' friends houses where Daniel worked. Leah got to meet Malthace and became good friends with her. Daniel realized that whenever Leah would see Malthace, her attitude and personality would change-to be more like hers. That lasted until one very day. Daniel had gotten mad at her for being friends with a Roman, Marcus, and she became angry. Leah became very sick and close to dying.Daniel didn't know who could help her until he thought of one person-Jesus, who cured the demons from her forever. This book is extraordinary. I could read it again and again. I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Classics    3. Fiction    4. Historical - Ancient Civilizations    5. Jesus Christ    6. Palestine    7. Juvenile Fiction / Religious / Christian    8. Language & Literature   

Reviews (67)

LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
When first reading this book, you may laugh or just be speechless--but I, personally, was in love with this book when I was about 3 or 4!!I don't know why, but this book really interested me.The delivery on this book was quite fast--quicker than I expected--I recommend this service and book to anyone and everyone!!!

Poo or cookie?You decide...
My almost 28 month old enjoys this book, and neither he nor I are bothered by the concerns others have voiced in their reviews.Rather than be put off by the "I, Joshua's mother," language, I find it amusing in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way.I suspect this was the author's intent, and it was made part of the story to give the mom or dad reader something to relate to and find amusing as they read the book to the child for the eighty-fifth time, not to voice a serious complaint to the one read to.As others have said, you can simply change the language as you're reading to whatever you choose to call bowel movements, urine or various parts of the male anatomy.My son gets that the large white thing is a potty even though it looks nothing like his, and personally I think that it only helps children to be exposed to expressionist art from an early age rather than dumbing everything down to photographs or representational drawings.However, there's a risk in choosing an expressionist venue for a how-to book aimed at 2 year olds.My son tends to interpret things somewhat literally and to be stubborn once he gets an idea in his head, and I expect others his age do as well.And he has a firmly implanted idea in his head about this book's illustrations.He thinks the poo looks like a cookie.
It is fun, funny and tells it straight in kid terms
I think people saying this book could be damaging are going way too far and have lost all perspective. There is nothing wrong with it- the illustrations are cute, it is really matter of fact about how a child's body works and how potty training happens. It is also accepting of the normal mistakes along the way, no problem!
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Subjects:  1. Boys    2. Children's Baby - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Health & Daily Living - Toilet Training    6. Health and hygiene    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Social Situations - Toilet Training    10. Toilet training    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Toilet Training   

Editorial Review

The Battle of Iwo Jima, fought in the winter of 1945 on a rocky island south of Japan, brought a ferocious slice of hell to earth: in a month's time, more than 22,000 Japanese soldiers would die defending a patch of ground a third the size of Manhattan, while nearly 26,000 Americans fell taking it from them. The battle was a turning point in the war in the Pacific, and it produced one of World War II's enduring images: a photograph of six soldiers raising an American flag on the flank of Mount Suribachi, the island's commanding high point.Read more

Reviews (454)

"Flags of Our Fathers" - A Timely Look at a Bloody Battle in Our History
Quite a while ago, Nick Olmsted, a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy, recommended that I read "Flags of Our Fathers." I am glad that I finally got around to taking his advice. This story struck me on many levels at once, and this seems to be an opportune time to share some of my thoughts about this remarkable book, written by James Bradley, the son of one of the six Marines whose iconic picture of the raising of the flag over Iwo Jima riveted a war-weary nation.
A hard book to read.
World War II seems such a long time ago for so many of us. Most Americans today weren't yet born when it took place. For this reason, I believe everyone old enough to comprehend its stories should read this book. James Bradley and Ron Powers have written a heart-pounding record of the thirty-five bloody days it took to wrest Iwo Jima (Sulfur Island) from the Japanese. The photograph of the raising of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi (1/400th of a second's space in time) is recognized around the world. The men who raised it: John "Doc" Bradley (the author's father);Harlon Block; Rene Gagnon; Ira Hayes; Franklin Sousley; and Mike Strank became instant heroes (though Block, Sousley and Strank died not long after). Bradley, Hayes and Gagnon lived to tell the tale, though both Hayes and Gagnon would die with the pain of their experiences on Iwo Jima seared into their psyches to the point they could not live with it successfully.
1/400th of a second in time
"It's funny what a picture can do":1/400th of a second in time.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. History    5. History - Military & Wars    6. Iwo Jima, Battle of, Japan, 1945    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Photographs    10. Photography    11. Pictorial works    12. World War, 1939-1945    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Military & Wars    14. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (18)

Wonderful Encyclopedia
I bought this to homeschool my 5 year old daughter.
Amazing History reference
This book contains beautiful color illistrations and more historical information than any one book I have ever seen! The timeline makes finding the date you are looking for very easy to find.

Kid friendly
The material is kid friendly and seems to capture my kids attention.Keeps history exciting as it should be. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. History - General    4. Juvenile General And Reference Works    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Reference - Encyclopedias    8. World history    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / General   

Reviews (43)

Under a War Torn Sky
This book was fantastic. It was very realistic to war. It showed how evil some people can be but then how nice others can be. Henry Forester goes threw it all.Henry is a 19 year old pilot shot down behind enemy lines. He has to survive a lot to make it home. I suggest a tissue when you read it too. But don't get me wrong its an awesome book.

One of the best books i ever read
This book is brilliant, if you are interested in war, planes or thr second world war this is the book for you. It is clear nice easy to read writing and the chapters are short. The only problem is that i wished the story was longer it was that good.

Under a War-Torn Sky
Wow!What a page turner!From the start, I was pulled in and felt like I was right alongside Henry, feeling what he was feeling. Henry was a "boy" who was a fighter pilot that was shot down during World War II behind enemy lines.Due to his perseverence and with the help of many strangers(includingFrench Resistance fighters)who risk their lives, Henry makes it back to his family's farm in Virginia--as a man. This war story includes everything that anyone would want-danger, suspense, adventure, even romance!Don't miss it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Air pilots    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Fiction    6. France    7. Historical - Military & Wars    8. Historical Fiction (Young Adult)    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Social Issues - New Experience    11. Underground movements    12. World War, 1939-1945    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Military & Wars   

Reviews (10)

I got my copy autographed.
This book reprints the first nine issues of the Age of Bronze comic books.It's a beautifully drawn, well written comic book about the Trojan War.The only problem I have with the comic, and it'a a minor problem, is that there are so many characters, it's hard to keep track of who's who.Highly recommended to fans of graphic literature.

Holy Cow! This is off the chart great.
I just ripped through A Thousand Ships and the second book in the series, Sacrifice, in two days and I'm bowled over.What a tour de force these books are.Shanower seamlessly incorporates all the myths entwined in the Trojan War.An incredible feat by itself, it's even more impressive because he achieves this without bogging down what is, after all, a ripping good story.
the Bronze Age brought brilliantly to life
Eric Shanower does a fabulous job of bringing the Mycenaean world and the story of the Trojan War to life.Shanower has a different perspective on many of the characters than I might choose, but still I find his protagonists credible and compelling.With a combination of strong characterization and historically accurate settings and costumes, this is simply one of the best reimaginings of the myth I've encountered.
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Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Comics & Graphic Novels - General    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Graphic Novels    6. Historical - Ancient Civilizations    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Trojan War    9. Ancient World    10. Comics & Graphic Novels / General   

Reviews (25)

Jack & Annie in China
When Jack and Annie found out that they were going to China, they went straight to the treehouse. They met Morgan there, and she told them that they had to save a library in China. The dragon king was going to burn all the books, because he didn't like them. Jack and Annie saw a huge map of the castle where the emporer lived and they used it to help them find the library. In the end, Jack and Annie saved the library and were heroes again.
the burning ofthe books
I hate the way the Dragen King wanted to burn all the books in China.But I am glad that Jack and Annie saved one.They escaped eveything.

The Trip to China
This story take place on China in the 1970, the boy and the girl were ready to go to China and they go in to get the bamboo book that is on the city, and they find two Chinese people. They take them to the city and they see people selling fish, the boy told them if they can take them to the library to find the bamboo book that has all the secrets ofChina.
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. China    5. Fiction    6. Han dynasty, 202 B.C.-220 A.D    7. Historical - Ancient Civilizations    8. History    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Magic    11. Osborne, Mary Pope    12. People & Places - Asia    13. Time travel    14. Tree houses    15. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Ancient Civilizations   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. History - United States/General    4. Juvenile Nonfiction   

Reviews (12)

Vacation Under the Valcano - Magic Tree House #13
Shortly before leaving for vacation, Jack and Annie remembered that they needed to go to the magic tree house to solve a mystery. Morgan said "your aventure is going to the Roman times you need to find this book or it will be lost forever""WOW! I always wanted to go to the Roman times this will be fun Annie" said Jack.
Volcanos wow!
My son and I have been reading the Magic Tree House series for the last couple months and we love them. These are the first books that my son has taken a real interest into, checking them out and reading them on his own.Vacations under the Volcanois our favorite one so far.After checking out a bunch from the library we finally decided to buy a set, and he was so disappointed that this one wasn't part of the set that he bought it seperatly on his own.This book has sparked a whole new interest for him.
Magically Adventurous!
If you like exciting stories, you will you won't be able to stop reading Vacation Under the Volcano by Mary Pope Osborne.In this story, Jack and Annie travel in the magic tree house to ancient Rome to try and save a library from a volcano.When they get to Rome they have to be sure they are safe from the hot lava that is going to destroy the library.Then a giant appears out of nowhere and picks Jack and Annie up and drops them in a dried up river. Did they save the book that they were searching for?Find out when you read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Eruption, 79    5. Fiction    6. Historical - Ancient Civilizations    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Osborne, Mary Pope    9. Pompeii (Extinct city)    10. Readers - Beginner    11. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    12. Time travel    13. Tree houses    14. Vesuvius (Italy)    15. Adventure stories    16. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Reviews (12)

A Beautiuly written story...but
I Just finished this book after a 3 day marathon read. I bought it on a whim after readng the jacket, which had no synopsis. I found that I was slightly put off by the fact that this was a Holocaust novel written from the perspective of a child. I eventually got over that and got sucked into the story. It is a very easy read, sometimes TOO easy considering the subject matter. Overall this book was very well written. It approaches a very difficult subject with compassion and sensitivity. My only caution... do not read this book if you're looking for an in depth Holocaust story.

Compare this book with "Emil and Karl" by Glatshteyn
If you are looking for a book for middle school to high school readers that challenges them to think about the real experiences of children in a brutal fascist state, I would skip this one and read instead "Emil and Karl", written by Yankev Glatschteyn in 1940 and only recently translated in English. It is also short, also features two naive 9-year-old boys, also gives multiple points of view, and also seems to be trying to send out a wake-up call to young people. The difference is that Emil and Karl is well-written, moving, accurate, and full of well-rounded characters across the spectrum of opinions and backgrounds, while "The boy in the striped pajamas" is maudlin, insulting, shallow, and inaccurate. It would be good for a literature teacher to assign both books, and let the students see for themselves the difference between quality literature and trash. Don't waste your money on Boyne's weak attempt.

This book could have offered so much more
After reading a brief synopsis of the book, I was interested enough to purchase it.The Holocaust from the point of a child would have been a truly good story, but the character of this book is made into a downright idiot.His father was a Commandant, he was taught to salute Hitler, but somehow his parents never got around to telling him about Hitler, the Jews, the "master" race???I asked the six year old across the street and he knew more about the Holocaust than the main character did.The author is a wonderful storyteller, and that kept me reading to the end.The ending, however, felt far too contrived.It's as if by making the story end this way, the author somehow equalizes things out.I was disappointed that what could have been a truly excellent book was trivialized by the ending.I have mixed feelings about recommending this book.Yes, it is a good plot, but executed in such a way that I feel the author almost played it too safe for fear of upsetting anyone, and in the process, educating no one.For children today so removed from this part of history, the author could have done so much more to make them understand.If you are looking for a book for you or your child, this makes for a quick read, but not a thought-provoking one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - History    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Concentration camps    5. Fiction    6. Friendship    7. Historical - Holocaust    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Nazis    10. Poland    11. Social Issues - Friendship    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Holocaust   

Editorial Review

Nineteenth-century American pioneer life was introduced to thousands of young readers by Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved Read more

Reviews (46)

1847 from the Perspective of an Ojibwa Child
The Birchbark House (originally published in 1999) is the story of a year in the life of a seven-year-old girl and her Ojibwa family, living on an island in Lake Superior in 1847. The book was written by Louise Erdrich, herself a member of the Turtle Band of Ojibwa (former name: Anishinabe). The Birchbark House takes place during the same time frame as Little House on the Prairie, and the two books share certain similarities. However, The Birchbark House illustrates that time frame from the perspective of the Native Americans, who fear being pushed ever Westward by white people. It includes many Ojibwa words and customs, and Ms. Erdrich does a wonderful job of conveying the sense of harmony that the Ojibwa share with their surroundings.